There's no place like home: Elite defensive end ready to be a Tiger

Kelly says he can't wait to be a Clemson football player - and student

There’s no place like home.

No offense to Miss Dorothy Gale, but for one Kansas football star his heels have been clicking to get him to his new home - Clemson.

Xavier Kelly explained when he committed to Clemson that the school “felt like home” and had a “family feel.” Now, a couple months before Kelly is able to officially call Clemson home, he is just as excited.

Being able to be around players and coaches was a highlight of his weekend, especially since Kelly was able to bring his brother along for the trip. After watching the spring game, Kelly is just ready to be on that field.

“The team looked great,” Kelly told TigerNet Monday. “Always room to grow. I enjoyed watching them and can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Kelly explained that he “has been waiting to get to Clemson” since he first committed. After being on campus this weekend Kelly talked about how nice it was to catch up with his future family.

“I talk to Cornell Powell and Zerrick Cooper a lot, pretty much all the commits,” Kelly said. “We all get along. It’ll be great when we all get to Clemson.”

Hearing the praise Coach Swinney and Coach Venables have been throwing his way and talking with them this weekend has left a lasting impression on Kelly. “It is definitely a good feeling having them talk about me. It’s just pure motivation- it motivates me to keep going hard and hopefully everything will work out.”

In terms of his playing time this season, Kelly knows what needs to be done on his end.

“Right now I’m just working out and studying the play book,” he said. “I’ll see where it goes from there. Going to get it this June.”

Speaking of this June, Kelly said he is mostly excited for the opportunity to call himself a Clemson student.

“I’m just looking forward to going to college and being a student athlete, that’s pretty exciting,” he said. “I get to meet new people and become a better player and student. I’m looking forward to the game time atmosphere college football brings because that’s a big transition.”

On September 10th when 80,000 are surrounding Xavier Kelly from his view standing beside Howard’s Rock - it will finally hit him that he indeed isn’t in Kansas anymore.